Meriton to displace 1000 park tenants

Jim Gainsford, Fairfield Champion, 26 February 2002

THREE Fairfield independent councillors say they are "totally opposed" to any high-rise redevelopment of the Lansdowne caravan park.

Developer Meriton Apartments, which owns the site, has approached Fairfield Council to rezone it for residential development.

The caravan park, in a flood-prone area on the Hume Highway, Lansvale, is home to 1000 people.

Crs Thang Ngo, Maria Heggie and Peter Cork said they will oppose any high-rise development on the site.

"It is a highly inappropriate proposal," Cr Heggie said.

"What possible justification could Meriton have for seeking a spot rezoning of this parcel of land with its severe potential for flooding.

"I don't understand why anyone would want to make homeless so many low-income tenants who would find it hard in the current real estate market to find alternate accommodation at an affordable price."

Cr Cork said he was shocked to learn that Meriton owned the site because it is zoned recreational.

"The council has already pushed through a spot rezoning for inappropriate development at Links Avenue in face of enormous community opposition," he said.

"And after it was rezoned the site was sold.

"We now have seven high-rises planned for Fairfield and I can't see any of the appropriate supporting infrastructure in place.

"I can't see that we should have yet another spot rezoning to once again to please the financial wants and desires of the big developers."

Cr Ngo challenged the 10 Labor councillors to rule out rezoning the site for high or medium-density housing.

"According to a Herald article in February last year, Harry Triguboff's Meriton Apartments Pty Ltd was one of the largest donors to political parties, giving $150,000 to the Labor party and $100,000 to the Liberals," he said.